Masks and Martyrs: Black Jet and The Human Bullet

BigBadToyStore updated their site yesterday with a stellar stop-motion video exploring their BigBadLaunchPad platform (check it out for a few fun cameos from our Masks & Martyrs characters). It coincided with the launch of BigBadWorkshop's clever, new NPC line. Pre-orders are open and have already reached multiple unlocks!

If you are wondering where Human Bullet and Black Jet stand, our project is Cleared for Launch, fully funded, and will head into production soon. We're still on target for a Q4 release and will update you if anything changes.

In the meantime... I'm happy to share some really cool artwork of Black Jet and the Sky Pirates courtesy of the talented Rick Celis. He's a master at creating illustrations that feel like they were plucked directly out of an animated sequence. Thanks, Rick!

Ed, Devil's Bargain Toys

Please enjoy the full mini comic that will be printed on the inside flap of Black Jet's box. It offers your first glimpse into the villain's backstory. Thank you thank you thank you to Bill and Damian for bringing these moments to life.

Ed, Devil's Bargain Toys

We are back with another sneak peek of Bill Nedrow and Damian Navarro's mini comics. Here we find Jody in his early days as a Sky Pirate before defecting and becoming the Human Bullet. We've included Damian's original sketch for good measure. Get ready for the full mini-comics which are just around the corner, as well as the box cover art.

Ed, Devil's Bargain Toys

Look who stopped by the BigBadWorkShop booth at San Diego Comic-Con! Thank you to Sebastián Píriz for taking this selfie with the upcoming Masks and Martyrs figures. Sebastián has been illustrating many of the characters in our Shields of Liberty line featured on the Devil's Bargain Toys website. He has done an amazing job and is so fun to work with. We are honored to collaborate with artists of his and Damian's caliber. A special shout out to Bill Murphy and BigBadMike for displaying the Human Bullet and Black Jet alongside the rest of their upcoming figures.

Ed, Devil's Bargain Toys

Before he reinvented himself as the heroic Human Bullet, Jody Aquino-Barr was a member of Black Jet's notorious Sky Pirates. It wasn't until he saw first hand the depth of their brutality that he fled into the waiting arms of an even greater evil, the seemingly altruistic Dr. Ursa. Today we share a panel from the mini comic written by Bill Nedrow that will be printed on the Human Bullet's box. Damian Navarro perfectly captured the moment Jody escaped from the sharpshooting Sky Pirate called Le Vol by pulling off a seemingly impossible shot that fired a bullet through both of  palms. Damian has also provided you with his initial sketch as well as an alternate angle he considered during the brainstorming process.

Ed, Devil's Bargain Toys

Thank you to all who stopped by the Devil's Bargain Toys Booth last weekend at JoeFest. It's always a blast chatting with you in person. Here are some photos of the booth for those who could not attend. Factory samples of the Human Bullet and Black Jet were on display showing off new and improved silver paint to better mimic chrome. They are surrounded by figures from the Shields of Liberty line available on devilsbargaintoys.com. Stay tuned for an upcoming update on Bill Nedrow and Damian Navarro's mini comics...

Ed, Devil's Bargain Toys

I hope you stop by booth #130-131, where I'll be camped out with my friends at BigBadWorkShop this weekend at Joefest. I'll have production samples from the factory of Human Bullet and Black Jet on display with my Shields of Liberty line of figures. While you're there, be sure to pick up a free Masks and Martyrs collectors card with artwork by Sebastián Píriz. I'd love to put faces to names, so please introduce yourself. It's always a pleasure chatting with fellow collectors.

In other news, thank you to RDL: TAPS for having me on their channel this past Monday. I'm always struck at how kind and supportive they are. We have a great toy community.

Watch me pretend to know what I'm talking about here on RDL: TAPS!

https://www.youtube.com/live/hQ9L9g3Hh6s

Ed, Devil’s Bargain Toys

The opportunity arose to upgrade the eyes on the Human Bullet and Black Jet with digital printing, and thanks to Catrina Cerise-Arana, who helped us with the print files, we're happy to report that the results look fantastic. Here is a preview of what to look forward to. We'll continue to work toward bringing you the best versions of these characters possible.

Ed, Devil’s Bargain Toys

I had the pleasure to sit down and chat about the upcoming Masks and Martyrs figures with friends on two awesome channels recently. The first conversation was with Bob and Will from The One Eight Team over on the Wilhelm Toy & Hobby channel, and the second was with Joel and Greg from Anything Joes. I'll share the episode links below, but I really encourage you to check out both of their channels in general - lots of great content for toy fans.

One Eight Team: Episode 18 - Ed Hellman of Devil's Bargain Toys

https://www.youtube.com/live/02vRnH0Y8oE?si=UUd5Cff9qTVzirDY

Anything Joes Episode S03 E11 - Talking Toys With Ed Hellman Of Devil's Bargain Toys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S14K6S_wZ5A

Thanks for having me on, guys! Happy to talk toys anytime.

Ed, Devil's Bargain Toys

Collaborating with BigBadWorkShop means taking our packaging to a new level and adding mini comics on the inside flap.

Bill Nedrow, author of the novel Devil’s Bargain: Of Masks and Martyrs, wrote these scenes introducing the world of the Human Bullet and Black Jet. Fan favorite artist Damian Navarro (@damian_navarroart on Instagram) created original artwork to bring Bill’s words to life.

Here is an early sketch Damian drew of one of my favorite panels, as well as the finished art. On the left, we meet the ruthless Black Jet, sword raised, soaring midair toward his former protege. The Human Bullet mounts his counterattack, while Bulletdrones and Sky Pirates surround them, tearing through the clouds.
What makes an action figure more than an articulated statue, but something that inspires play? Sometimes, a single image can spark that inspiration.

Ed, Devil’s Bargain Toys

Kickin' things off with everybody's favorite footwear: magnetic boots. Both the Human Bullet and Black Jet will come dressed to impress. Follow the project if you'd like to see more behind-the-scenes updates as we progress through production.